Joined: Sat May 27, 2006 5:51 amPosts: 9Location: First tin shed on the left

Has anyone found with the latest UK certified 14 place Van that there is a second "detent" on the EPL which cannot be seen due to the 'lagging' in the EPL slot.We think this is dangerous as the PIC cannot see it (the second detent), as all previous models never had this.

There is no mention of this difference in the AFM and most pilots would be caught out with this in an emergency.

Anyone please !!!!

pdw

Post subject: Re: Added EPL detent

Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 8:38 pm

Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2004 3:13 amPosts: 56Location: Niagara Falls Area

"The second detent cannot be seen because of lagging in the EPL slot" ?

(not sure if I've pictured this correctly)

No markings ?

Tailwheel

Post subject: Re: Added EPL detent

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:17 pm

Joined: Sat May 27, 2006 5:51 amPosts: 9Location: First tin shed on the left

No, there are no markings at all re: the second detent, but maybe you guys in the USA dont see this "UK certified" Van there.

On the 'power quadrant' all the levers have a thin insertion rubber covering the gap around the power,prop,condition and EPL levers, (so no foreign objects can drop in and foul the levers).This means any pilot who has to use the EPL in anger, will push it to the detent and it wont go any further till you push it the opposite direction, this is not the time to find out about the "new" detent.

I have sent an email to Cessna but no reply as yet.

Tailwheel

pdw

Post subject: Re: Added EPL detent

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2011 10:25 pm

Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2004 3:13 amPosts: 56Location: Niagara Falls Area

That sounds like a unique design if this is "new"

It sounds like you advance the lever to the first detent restriction ... but then must pull back a bit to advance it further. If that is true then it looks like an innovation. Do we know if that maybe replaces the original 'wire tied' EPL forward-restriction method ?

Or is it still safety-wired in place ? (I'll bet it is)

Tailwheel

Post subject: Re: Added EPL detent

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2011 12:29 pm

Joined: Sat May 27, 2006 5:51 amPosts: 9Location: First tin shed on the left

EPL To use the EPL lever normaly you must first 'push' the EPL to the left, then advance the lever to feed fuel to the engine. With this changed 'gate', the lever must then further 'pushed' to the 'right' to advance it to the point where it will provide the required power.

It is in effect a 'second gate', which is covered from view from the pilot, so if you changed aircraft you cant see the change until it is too late.In other words, when you want the EPL in the normal way, it will catch you out at the wrong time.The EPL is also "witness wired" like all of the others, so no change there

I wish I could post a picture of it!

Has anyone seen this before??

dustoff17

Post subject: Re: Added EPL detent

Posted: Mon May 02, 2011 8:05 pm

Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:59 pmPosts: 15

All of the newer Caravans have this feature, this is not exclusive to a "UK Modification". They have had this additional stop for the past several years.

It was put in place to prevent the "accidental" movement of the EPL. Without this stop, you could bump the EPL out of its' OFF position and inadvertently push it forward. This new stop will prevent the EPL from moving forward without a purposeful action.

The UK modification includes only the rubber FOD protector that covers this up. Without the UK Mod, it's not hidden and is easily seen

Tailwheel

Post subject: Re: Added EPL detent

Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 4:25 am

Joined: Sat May 27, 2006 5:51 amPosts: 9Location: First tin shed on the left

Thanks for the explanation Dustoff.There is no mention of this in the POH, and with the UK modification (fod cover) it is not visible to the pilot.So after flying the earlier model Van no one would know unless you 'pulled' the rubber back to look at the detents.

A trap for anyone!!

Cheers,

Tailwheel

dustoff17

Post subject: Re: Added EPL detent

Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 12:02 am

Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:59 pmPosts: 15

I tried to post a picture of what we're talking about but can't figure it out!!

Better stick to flying.............

pdw

Post subject: Re: Added EPL detent

Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:52 pm

Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2004 3:13 amPosts: 56Location: Niagara Falls Area

I was a good point to make. Dustoff's answer is good too. Tailwheel, it a good thing that you made mention that this new Caravan's detente is different. We all can understand what it feels like to be aquainted with a certain lever response only to find by surprise in a real emergency that it's action has been altered (it is clear the danger you were referring to is that unknown action). Good feedback.

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